Sweet P vs. the Christmas decorations

Becky and I (and Pete and Brutus and Herbie) recently welcomed a new member to our family.  Meet our new kitten, "Princess Buttercup" or "Sweet P" for short.

Sweet P has quickly adjusted to her new surroundings.  She loves her mamas and the big house to run and jump and play in.  Wow, she is an energetic little ball of fuzz.  She wasn't too fond of her big brother Brutus at first, but the are on their way to becoming the best of friends.  Their favorite game is hide and seek.  Sweet P hides and Brutus seeks.  Her other brother Pete has been pouting ever since her arrival and refuses to come into the house, even for a can of tuna.

In Sweet P's opinion, the best things about her new house are the Christmas decorations:  the strings of lights, the nutcracker, sheep from the nativity, and of course... the Christmas tree.  I have found her half way to the top on more than one occasion.  Those shiny ornaments are just too tempting!  I hope that someday she will chase rats with the same enthusiasm.

Stephoscope: December 2010 Newsletter

Dear friends of PNG,

Here is the December 2010 edition of my newsletter.  Wow, another year has finished!

Mom and Dad will be making their first trip to PNG in just one week.  I am excited to share this place with them!  What a wonderful Christmas present.

It is a joy for missionaries to serve around the world.  Such a joy!  The holidays can be difficult for those who are far away from their home.  Remember to pray for your missionary friends and their families during this season.

Hepi Krismas!

~ steph

Attachment: December 2010 Newsletter.pdf

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last." ~ John 15:16

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5

Growing up

Over the past couple of months, the nursery has had quite a run of low birth weight babies.  It has been full to overflowing at times, with two or three sharing each bed.  Five of the babies were actually VERY low birth weight, which means that they weighed less than 1500 grams when they were born.  I am completely amazed by how well these little ones have done, every one of them!  We have celebrated parties for babies of Rosa, Dorothy, and Priscilla.  

Baby of Maria is one of our miracle stories.  She weighed about 1400 grams at birth.  At a few days of life, she stopped breathing.  Apnea is a common problem in premature babies.  The nursing staff bagged the baby of Maria on and off for 24 hours.  I was shocked when I came in the next morning and found that she was still alive and doing well.  It has been a long and very slow process... feedings and antibiotics and oxygen and more antibiotics.  Two months later, Maria finally got to take her baby home!  She was discharged on Friday.

This past week we threw a 2000 gram party for baby of Grace, another little miracle.  Unfortunately her mother was not there to celebrate.  She died from a complication of the delivery.  The nursery staff have so diligently looked after the baby, and she has done quite well.  A sister of the mother recently arrived at the hospital and she will be adopting her niece.

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

~ 1 Peter 2:2-3

Mad Hatter Tea Party

Dr. Becky Wallace came to PNG two years ago as a long term "volunteer" through the Samaritan Purse/World Medical Mission's post residency program.  Sadly for us her time with the post residency program has come to the end.  On Monday we will be gathering at the circle for yet another "see you in heaven if not before."  We are all hoping for before!  She will be heading home to spend time with her family and seek God's direction for her future.

Becky a.k.a. Becky 2 or B-2 has been an important part of the Kudjip family.  She has taught music to the MKs, treated thousands of patients, played numerous games of Settlers, learned to do c-sections, entertained, journeyed with us.  I have also enjoyed some special adventures with my 10 toea friend... from Bible college to the Down Under.  She has brought us so much joy.  We won't be the same without her.  

In honor of our friend and her service, we decided to throw a little "un-staying party" with all the flair of one of her own productions.  In the tradition of Alice in Wonderland, we threw a Mad Hatter Tea Party.  Everyone was ordered to attend by decree of Her Majesty the Queen of Hearts.  

Guests entered through the looking glass and sat for tea at cakes at the whimsically decorated tables.  Hats were provided for those who didn't bring their own.  

Special guests included Rambo, the Chesire Cat, Tweedle-Dumb, and Her Majesty.  OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!

It was such a sweet time of celebration and fellowship!  Beck, we are certainly going to miss you.

For more pictures of this and other Kudjip silliness, take a peek at what we do for fun in the bush :).

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, [sister], have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people."

~ Philemon 1:7